(1) For each translocation, project monitoring must be conducted at the receiving area.

(2) A monitoring plan must be included with or attached to the translocation proposal. The department or the Montana prairie dog working group will provide assistance if requested. The monitoring plan must contain the following:

(a) a description of the methodology and time lines of data collection;

(b) a description of the amount of acreage occupied by prairie dogs at the receiving area prior to the release;

(c) a description of any habitat that prairie dogs previously occupied but that is vacant at the time of the translocation;

(d) a description of any other baseline habitat information pertaining to the release;

(e) provisions for one-year and three-year post-release assessments. These assessments must compare translocation results with the baseline inventory and must be provided to the department; and

(f) a provision for assessment of the translocation's success by comparing results of the translocation to the objectives stated in the translocation proposal, and the requirements of this subchapter.